Chip vacuum system

ABSTRACT

A vacuum system and apparatus extracts metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of a sawing machine. The system and apparatus is located on the previously cut surface end of the saw and includes rotatable bracketry to engage and disengage a vacuum nozzle from the end of a cut piece to extract metal chips and cuttings from the inside of hollow metal stock as the stock is being cut. Rotation of the bracketry is actuated by means of an electronic controller or other control circuitry.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sawing machines and to apparatus andassemblies that are used with such sawing machines. More specifically,this invention relates to a system and apparatus that is an attachmentto a sawing machine, the sawing machine being used for cutting hollowmetal stock. It also specifically relates to a system and apparatus thatremoves metal chips from the cutting area of the sawing machine by meansof a movable, vacuum extraction assembly that places a vacuum nozzle inengagement with an end of the stock that is close to the cutting areaduring cutting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the art of using sawing machines for cutting hollow metal stock, oneproblem that is frequently encountered is that metal chips and cuttingstend to accumulate in the cutting area, and particularly within thehollow of the metal stock, thus requiring the saw to cut through thechips and cuttings more than once. As successive cuts are made throughthe stock, and particularly where a blower system is used, the metalchips and cuttings tend to move away from the cutting area andaccumulate within the hollow such that the hollow becomes more and morefilled with metal chips and cuttings.

In the area of chip removal systems that use air pressure to blow themetal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area, doing so tends tocause problems elsewhere within the sawing machine. That is, while metalchips and cuttings are successfully removed from the cutting area by theblower system, the same metal chips and cuttings are moved to otherareas of the sawing machine where they can cause problems and potentialdamage elsewhere in the machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a meansfor extracting metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of asawing machine without simply moving them to other undesirable areas ofthe machine. It is another object to provide a system and apparatus thataccomplishes this extraction by means of a vacuum arrangement. It isstill another object of the present invention to provide such a systemand apparatus that utilizes a minimal number of elements and a minimalnumber of steps to use. It is yet another object to provide such asystem and apparatus that can be used as original equipment or as aretrofit to sawing machines of current manufacture and design, suchmachines being used to cut hollow metal stock.

In the disclosure that follows, it is to be understood that the terms“hollow metal stock” or “stock” shall be interpreted to mean metaltubing, metal extrusions, or any other structures that have one or morecavities defined in them and which may be cut into smaller parts by useof a sawing machine, the sawing machine being adapted to cut through thecavity or cavities of the stock. It is also to be understood that thecross-sectional profile of the hollow metal stock can be in any shapeincluding, by way of example, circular, oblate, square or rectangular,the shape of the stock not being a limitation of the present invention.It is further to be understood that the cross-sectional dimension orsize of the hollow metal stock is not a limitation of the presentinvention either.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The chip vacuum system and apparatus of the present invention hasobtained these objects. It utilizes an industrial vacuum assembly toextract metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of a sawingmachine. The vacuum can be utilized on the part end of the machine, andis disclosed in the preferred embodiment as such. The system andapparatus of the present invention utilizes bracketry that rotates avacuum nozzle into place to allow for metal chip and cutting removalfrom inside the hollow metal stock as the stock is cut by the blade ofthe sawing machine. For each part that is cut, the vacuum nozzle rotatesinto position during the cut, thus allowing the nozzle to extract metalchips and cuttings from within the hollow stock as the cut is made andas the metal chips and cuttings are being produced as a by-product ofthe saw blade cutting through the stock. Between cuts, the vacuum nozzlerotates out of the way to allow the cut part to be moved out of thecutting area. As a new cut is ready to be made, the nozzle is rotatedback into its extraction position.

The system and apparatus of the present invention allows the bracketryto be adjusted to accommodate hollow stock of, different cross-sectionaldimensions, diameters, or sizes, as alluded to above, and allows the sawto cut parts of different lengths from the stock. The vacuum nozzlemates with the first part to extract metal cuttings and chips fromwithin the part as the cut is being made. Means are included within thebracketry for linear movement of the nozzle relative to the part whichallows the nozzle to be backed away ever so slightly as it is rotatedout of the way, thus allowing a small clearance between the part and thenozzle following each cut and prior to the next cut being made as thestock is advanced by normal indexing between part cuts.

The foregoing and other features of the system and apparatus of thepresent invention will be apparent from the detailed description thatfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, left side and front perspective view of the chip vacuumsystem and apparatus of the present invention shown as it would beattached to a sawing machine.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the chip vacuum system andapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the nozzle portion of theapparatus in a fully “up” position.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the chip vacuum system andapparatus and showing the nozzle portion in the fully “down” position.

FIG. 4 is a second front elevational view of the chip vacuum system andapparatus showing the nozzle in the “down” position and showing thesawing blade of the sawing machine cutting through a piece of roundtubular metal stock.

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the system and apparatus of thepresent invention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial top plan view of the system and apparatus of thepresent invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial top plan and partially sectioned view ofthe system and apparatus taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial top plan and partially sectioned view ofthe system and apparatus taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged top plan view of the system and apparatustaken along 9-9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is further enlarged top plan view of the system and apparatustaken along 10-10 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned top plan view of the tubular stock andshowing the chips being generated by the blade as it cuts through thetubing, the view being taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals representlike structure and elements throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates the “output”end of a sawing machine which, in this particular embodiment is acircular saw sawing machine, generally identified 1, of the type withwhich the assembly and apparatus of the present invention is intended tobe used. It is to be understood, however, that other sawings machinescould also be fitted with the apparatus and assembly of the presentinvention without deviating from the scope of the present invention andfrom the claims that follow.

As shown in FIG. 1, the circular saw cutting machine 1 includes a blade2, the blade 2 being disposed in a substantially vertical plane. Again,the relative position of the blade 2 is for purposes of describingenablement of the invention and is in no way limiting the invention. Theblade 2 could be positioned at an angle or even in the horizontal, suchnot being a limitation of the present invention. In the position shown,the blade 2 can cut transversely through a piece of hollow metal stock100 that would be placed horizontally and in the path of the blade 2.The sawing machine 1 also includes a holder 4 within which thelongitudinally-extending piece of stock 100 can be securely clamped. Asshown, the stock 100 is a piece of cylindrically-shaped stock having acontinuous wall 101 and a hollow interior 102. The sawing machine 1places the stock 100 along a line that presents the stock 100 in atransverse plane relative to the blade 2. In this position, the blade 2is able to cut squarely through the stock 100, thereby creating smallercylindrically-shaped segments or pieces from thelongitudinally-extending stock 100. As alluded to previously, the blade2, in alternative embodiments, could cut the stock 100 at an angle, forexample. It is also to be understood that the sawing machine 1 includesan advancement and indexing means (not shown) whereby the stock 100,once clamped within the holder 4, can be incrementally advanced and cutin lengths as are desired or required by the machine operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sawing machine 1 also has, at its output side, asubstantially vertical side surface 6 to which the chip vacuum assemblyand apparatus, generally identified 10, can be mounted. As shown, theside surface 6 of the sawing machine 1 is disposed in a generallyvertical plane but such is not a limitation of the present invention.That is, other geometries of the machine side surface 6 could be usedwith minor adaptation of the apparatus and assembly of the presentinvention. In very general terms, the assembly and apparatus 10 of thepresent invention can be said to include four basic components: a vacuumnozzle; bracketry for supporting and moving the nozzle; means for movingthe bracketry and nozzle; and a vacuum means.

More specifically, and now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seenthat the chip vacuum assembly and apparatus 10 includes a pivoting firsthex slide 12 having a first end portion 14 that is proximal to the sidesurface 6 of the sawing machine 1 and a second end portion 16 that isdistal from the side surface 6 of the sawing machine 1. The first hexslide 12 is the first element of the “bracketry” mentioned above. Whilethis first slide 12 is defined and illustrated as having a hexagonal or“hex” cross-section, such is not a limitation of the present invention.That is, other cross-sectional shapes for the first slide 12 could beused without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Thepivoting first hex slide 12 extends outward and generallyperpendicularly from the vertical surface of the side 6 of the sawingmachine 1 in this particular embodiment. The first hex slide 12 isrotatably anchored to it by means of a keeper 11, the details of whichwill be discussed later in this detailed description.

Secured to, and movable along the length of, the pivoting first hexslide 12 is the second element of the bracketry, which is a double splitclamp 20. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The double split clamp 20 has a first end21 and a second end 25. The first end 21 of the double split clamp 20includes a gap 22 and an aperture 23 defined within the gap 22. SeeFIG. 1. Similarly, the second end 25 of the double split clamp 20includes a gap 26 and an aperture 27. See FIG. 5. Note that the gap 22defined in the first end 21 of the claim 20 is disposed in a firstplane. Note also that the gap 26 defined in the second end 25 of theclamp 20 lies in a plane that is rotated 90° from that of the gap 22 ofthe first end 21. That is, the planes that the gaps 22, 26 lie in aresubstantially perpendicular to one another. The reason for thisconfiguration will be apparent later in this detailed description.

The aperture 23 of the first end 21 of the double split clamp 20 isconfigured and functionally adapted to receive a portion of the pivotingfirst hex slide 12 within it. Once the clamp aperture 23 receives thefirst hex slide 12, the double split clamp 20 is thereby longitudinallymovable and locatable along the pivoting hex slide 12. Additionally, theclamp 20 is securable at a given position along the hex slide 12 bymeans of a tightening bolt 62 and head 64 fastener arrangement. See FIG.2.

The chip vacuum assembly and apparatus 10 of the present invention alsoincludes the third element of the bracketry, which is a second hex slide30. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The second hex slide 30 has a proximal portion 31and a distal portion 32. That is, the proximal portion 31 is “proximal”to the clamp 20 and the distal portion 32 is “distal” or away from theclamp 20. The proximal portion 31 of the second hex slide 30 isreceivable within the aperture 27 of the second end 25 of the doublesplit clamp 20, and the aperture 27 is so configured. The second hexslide 30 is securable at a given position relative to the split clamp 20by means of a tightening screw 66 and head 68 fastener arrangement. SeeFIG. 5. At the distal end 32 of the second hex slide 30, a suction head40 is attached, preferably by weldment.

The suction head 40 of the assembly 10 includes a first end 44, a secondend 46 and a centrally-disposed aperture 42. As shown, the suction head40 is a generally right-angled, L-shaped structure, but such is not alimitation of the present invention. That is, the suction head 40 couldbe altered in its physical shape without deviating from the scope ofthis invention or the claims that follow. What is significant is thatthe aperture portion 42 at the second end 46 of the suction head 40include means for removably receiving a nozzle 50, the nozzle 50 being agenerally conical structure having a first end 52 and a flared secondend 54. Here again, the conical shape of the flared second end 54 of thenozzle 50 is not a limitation of the present invention. To be effectivein the application, however, the second end 54 of the nozzle 50 shouldmatch the cross-sectional configuration presented by the cut surface 103of the stock 100. See, for example, FIG. 11. In this fashion, maximumvacuum suction will be applied to the part by the nozzle 50. Toconfigure the nozzle 50 otherwise would result in gaps being createdbetween the nozzle 50 and the cut surface 103, thus reducing theeffectiveness of the vacuum as it is applied. Referring back to thispreferred embodiment, it will be seen that the first end 52 of thenozzle 50 is secured within the second end 46 of the suction head 40 bymeans of a set screw 48, or other suitable fastener. See FIG. 6.

In the preferred embodiment, a resilient O-ring 56 is attachable to theflared second end 54 of the nozzle 50. Again, see FIG. 11. The purposeof the O-ring 56 is to further insure a good seal between the second end54 of the nozzle 50 and the cut surface 103 of the part, the O-ring 56being capable of resilient compression and deformation at the cutsurface 103. With the first end 52 of the nozzle 50 attached to thesecond end 46 of the suction head 40, an air flow continuum is createdthrough the nozzle 50 and the suction head aperture 42. The first end 44of the suction head 40, in turn, has one end 72 of a vacuum hose 70attached to it, the vacuum hose 70 feeding back to a centrally disposedvacuum device, the vacuum device (not shown) being of known commonmanufacture and providing suction through the nozzle 50, through thesuction head 40 and then through the vacuum hose 70. See FIGS. 1 through4.

As is also shown in FIG. 1, the chip vacuum assembly and apparatus 10 ofthe present invention includes a rocker arm 80. A first end 82 of therocker arm 80 is attachable to the proximal 14 portion of the pivotinghex slide 12. The second end 84 of the rocker arm 80 is pivotallyattached to one end 92 of a pneumatic cylinder 90. While the cylinder 90is disclosed in the preferred embodiment to be an air-actuated device,such is not a limitation of the present invention. It is to beunderstood that other hydraulic or electrical servo-motor devices orother devices capable of linearly-actuated movement, i.e. linearactuator means, could be used as well without deviating from the scopeof the present invention. Extending upwardly from the first end 82 ofthe rocker arm 80 is an extension member 86. The extension member 86 isintended to engage a limit switch 8, the limit switch 8 reporting to aprogrammable logic controller that the bracketry 12, 20, 30 is in the“upright” position. In the preferred embodiment, the air cylinder 90 issecured to the side 6 of the sawing machine 1 by means of a mountingpost 99, although other mounting means could be used. The air cylinder90 includes air inlet and outlet ports 94 that actuate a piston (notshown) within the air cylinder 90, the piston moving linearly inwardlyand outwardly relative to the air cylinder 90.

Reference was made earlier in this detailed description to the keeper 11that serves as an anchor for the proximal end 14 of the first hex slide12. Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be seen that the keeper 11is really a fastening base for one end 13 a partially threaded bolt 15.The bolt 15 has an externally threaded portion 17 that meshes with aninternally threaded portion 19 of a centered aperture 18 that is definedwithin the proximal end 14 of the first hex slide 12. In this fashion,rotation of the first hex slide 12 in one direction incrementally movesthe first hex slide 12 away from the bolt 15 and keeper 11. See FIG. 7.The distance moved is shown as X′. Rotation of the first hex slide 12 inthe opposite direction incrementally moves the first hex slide 12 backtowards the bolt 15 and the keeper 11. See FIG. 8. The original positionis shown as Y′, which corresponds to the position that is desirable formating the flared end 54 and O-ring 56 of the nozzle 50 to the cutsurface 103 of the stock 100. On the other hand, the displacement X′represents the position that is desirable for backing the nozzle 50 awayfrom the face 103 of the stock 100 to allow for suitable clearance fromthe cut part during normal cycling. These two positions are representedby FIGS. 3 and 4 and by FIG. 2, respectively.

It should also be mentioned that the chip vacuum system and apparatus 10of present invention utilizes particular electrical signals that may becreated and used by a programmable logic controller, or PLC (not shown)as previously mentioned, or by other suitable electronic controlcircuitry, that is part of the controls for the saw 1, i.e. the sawingmachine's PLC, it being understood that the sawing machine 1 useselectronic controls to move the stock 100, to clamp the stock 100 and tomove the saw blade 2. Some of these signals are intercepted by anadditional controller (also not shown), the additional controller beingspecifically provided to control the functionality of the vacuum systemand assembly 10, i.e. the vacuum system's PLC or electronic controlmeans. That is, a PLC or other suitable control circuitry could be usedto control the functionality of the vacuum system and assembly 10 of thepresent invention. Either would be acceptable and together are referredto here as the “vacuum system controller.” Some of these signals arecreated or intercepted by the vacuum system controller and include thefollowing:

A. Auto/Manual Switch—This is a switch to place the sawing machine 1into a manual or automatic mode of operation. It is used in conjunctionwith other inputs to determine if it is appropriate to retract or extendthe bracketry 12, 20, 30 of the vacuum system 10.

B. Chute—This is an output signal from the sawing machine's controllerthat allows the vacuum system 10 to know when a “trim cut” is inprocess. This process will be discussed in further detail during thediscussion of the application of the vacuum system controller andapparatus 10.

C. Cycle Start/Stop—These are output signals from the sawing machine'scontroller to tell the sawing machine 1 to start or stop the sawingcycle. These signals are utilized to determine if the saw cycle is inprocess. It provides an opportunity to the vacuum system controller tosee if it is acceptable to retract or extend the bracketry 12, 20, 30 ofthe vacuum system 10.

D. Cylinder Output—This is an output signal of the vacuum systemcontroller used to actuate a solenoid to control the inward and outwardmovement of the air cylinder 90.

E. Emergency Stop—This is an output signal from the saw controller usedas an input to the vacuum system controller to indicate an immediatestop condition.

F. Limit Switch—As alluded to earlier, the limit switch 8 is provided soas to report to the vacuum system controller that the bracketry 12, 20,30 is in the “upright” position.

G. Saw Blade Start—This is an output signal of the sawing machinecontroller that is intercepted by the vacuum controller to determine theappropriateness of actuating the vacuum system 10.

H. Saw Retract—This is an output signal utilized by the sawing machinecontroller to retract the saw blade 2 after a cut. This signal isintercepted by the vacuum controller and used to determine anappropriate time to retract the saw blade 2 and the vacuum system 10.

I. Vacuum On/Off Switch—This is a switch to turn the vacuum system 10“on” and “off.”

In application, an operator would set up the sawing machine 1 for theautomatic processing and cutting of the tube-shaped stock 100, forexample, of this particular embodiment. The operator would then beginthe normal automatic operation of the sawing machine 1. The vacuumsystem 10 is still switched “off” at this point. Once the “trim cut” orfirst cut to square up the end of the stock 100 has been completed,which cut creates a cut surface, the sawing machine 1 will automaticallyindex the stock 100 to position the blade 2 for the cut of the firstpart for the automatically programmed job, whatever that job may be andwhich could also include a purely manual operation. When the first cutcommences, the operator should interrupt the sawing process by pressingthe cycle “stop” button and placing the sawing machine 1 into manualmode. Here again, this particular step could also be an automated one,the present invention not being limited in that regard. The operatorwould then lower the vacuum nozzle 50 into position and makelongitudinal adjustments of the double split clamp 20 along the firsthex slide 12 for the particular part length to be cut. The sawingmachine 1 will then be placed back into automatic mode and the vacuumsystem 10 switched to the “on” position. For every part thereafter, thevacuum system 10 will actuate and the vacuum nozzle 50 will be movedinto place to extract chips 100 from the cutting area as shown in FIGS.3 and 4. This movement of the nozzle 50 is accomplished by actuationthrough the PLC (not shown) that controls the air cylinder 90. That is,as a cut is to be made, the air cylinder 90 is actuated to move thepiston inwardly. This results in second end 84 of the rocker arm 80being pulled towards the air cylinder 90, as is shown in FIG. 3, thusrotating the bracketry 12, 20, 30 in a counter-clockwise direction tothe point that the nozzle 50 is axially aligned with the stock 100. Asthis movement occurs, the nozzle 50 is also moved towards the previouslycut surface 103 of the stock 100 due to the threaded relationshipbetween the first hex slide 12 and the bolt 15. See also FIGS. 6, 8 and10. In this position, the vacuum applied to the vacuum hose 70 extractsthe metal chips 110 during the cutting process, as is shown in FIG. 11.

After each cut, the vacuum nozzle 50 will move into its retractedposition as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and out of the way, while the stock100 is indexed and the saw 1 prepares for the next cut. This movement ofthe nozzle 50 is accomplished by additional actuation of the solenoid orother suitable electronic control that controls the air cylinder 90.That is, after the cut is made and the cut piece is separated from thestock 100 and is ready to be diverted to a collection site by means of asaw discharge 9, as is shown in FIG. 1, the air cylinder 90 is actuatedto move the piston linearly outwardly. This results in the second end 84of the rocker arm 80 being pushed away from the air cylinder 90, asshown in FIG. 2. This rotates the bracketry 12, 20, 30 in a clockwisedirection to the point that the nozzle 50 is moved to a retractedposition. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9, this movement moves the nozzle50 away from the cut surface 103 of the stock 100. This movementminimizes any scuffing of the resilient O-ring 56 against the cutsurface 103 of the stock 100, the O-ring 56 allowing a relatively tightvacuum seal during cutting to maximize chip 110 extraction duringcutting. The cycle continues until the job is complete or new stock ormaterial is required. If new material is required, the sawing machine 1may reload it automatically. Upon a reload, the first cut is again a“trim cut” and the vacuum system 10 will not actuate until the firstpiece is actually cut.

Based on the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided anew and useful means for extracting metal chips and cuttings away fromthe cutting area of a sawing machine without moving them to otherundesirable areas of the machine; that accomplishes this extraction bymeans of a vacuum arrangement; that utilizes a minimal number ofelements and a minimal number of steps; and that can be used with sawingmachines as original equipment or as a retrofit.

1. A chip vacuum system for use with a sawing machine and a vacuumdevice operable to create suction, the sawing machine comprising a sawblade, a holder operable to clamp a longitudinally-extending piece ofhollow stock comprising a cut surface, the holder comprising a saw bladecutting area within which the saw blade is operable to cut thelongitudinally-extending stock substantially transversely, the cutsurface of the hollow stock having a cross-sectional shape, and amounting surface, the system comprising: a vacuum hose having an end,the vacuum hose feeding back to the vacuum device to provide suctionthrough the vacuum hose; a vacuum suction head attached to the vacuumhose end; a vacuum nozzle attached to the vacuum suction head; thevacuum hose, the vacuum suction head and the vacuum nozzle comprising acombined structure without direct contact with the saw blade, thecombined structure being separately movable relative to the saw blade;the vacuum suction nozzle comprising an end having a shape thatsubstantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface ofthe hollow stock, the vacuum suction nozzle further being placed indirect contact with the cut surface of the hollow stock to substantiallyseal the vacuum suction nozzle with the cut surface of the hollow stockto create a vacuum continuum through the stock, the vacuum nozzle, thevacuum suction head and the vacuum hose to remove chips from within thestock, such chips being created during cutting of the stock; andbracketry for placing the vacuum suction head in direct contact with thecut surface of the hollow stock, the bracketry being attached to themounting surface of the sawing machine and being movable such that thevacuum suction head is moved alternatively into and out of engagementwith the cut surface of the hollow stock, the bracketry furthercomprising: a first longitudinally-extending member having a centralaxis, the first longitudinally-extending member being rotatable aboutits axis; a second longitudinally-extending member; a thirdlongitudinally-extending member; and a nozzle-receiving member; thenozzle-receiving member being attachable to the thirdlongitudinally-extending member; and wherein the secondlongitudinally-extending member is slideably attachable to each of thefirst and third longitudinally-extending members; wherein the firstlongitudinally-extending member comprises an internally threaded distalportion and the chip vacuum system further comprises an externallythreaded bolt and keeper attached to the mounting surface of the sawingmachine, the threaded portions thereof being complementary such thatrotational movement of the first longitudinally-extending member aboutits axis further incrementally moves the first member along its axis andmoves the nozzle incrementally outward and away from the cut surface ofthe hollow stock; and wherein chips created by the saw blade duringcutting of the hollow stock are extracted from within the hollow stock.2. The chip vacuum system of claim 1 wherein bracketry movement iscontrolled by an electronic controller.
 3. The chip vacuum system ofclaim 2 wherein the controller actuates bracketry movement by means ofone from a group consisting of pneumatic drive means, hydraulic drivemeans, electric servo-motor drive means, or a linear actuator means. 4.A sawing machine, comprising: a saw blade; a holder operable to clamp alongitudinally-extending piece of hollow stock comprising a cut surface,the holder comprising a saw blade cutting area within which the sawblade is operable to cut the longitudinally-extending stocksubstantially transversely to the saw blade, the cut surface of thehollow stock having a cross-sectional shape; a mounting surface; avacuum device operable to provide suction; a vacuum hose having an end,the vacuum hose feeding back to the vacuum device to provide suctionthrough the vacuum hose; a chip vacuum apparatus comprising: a bolt andkeeper attached to the mounting surface of the sawing machine, the boltcomprising an externally threaded portion; a firstlongitudinally-extending member having a proximal end and a end and acentral axis, the proximal end of the first longitudinally-extendingmember comprising a centered aperture having an internally threadedportion, the internally threaded portion of the aperture meshing withthe externally threaded portion of the bolt, the first member beingrotatable about its central axis; a second longitudinally-extendingmember having a first end that is slidably attached to the distal end ofthe first longitudinally-extending member and a second end; a thirdlongitudinally-extending member having a first end that is slidablyattached to the second end of the second longitudinally-extending memberand a second end; a vacuum suction head attached to the vacuum hose end;a vacuum nozzle, the vacuum nozzle being attached to the second end ofthe third longitudinally-extending member and to the vacuum suctionhead, the vacuum hose; the vacuum suction head and the vacuum nozzlecomprising a combined structure without direct contact with the sawblade and the combined structure being separately movable relative tothe saw blade; the vacuum suction nozzle further comprising an endhaving a shape that substantially matches the cross-sectional shape ofthe cut surface of the hollow stock, the vacuum suction nozzle furtherbeing placed in direct contact with the cut surface of the hollow stockto substantially seal the vacuum suction nozzle with the cut surface ofthe hollow stock to create a vacuum continuum through the stock, thevacuum nozzle, the vacuum suction head and the vacuum hose to removechips from within the stock, such chips being created during cutting ofthe stock by the saw blade; and an actuator comprising a first endconnected to the mounting surface of the sawing machine and a second endconnected to the proximal end of the first longitudinally-extendingmember, the actuator being operable to rotate the firstlongitudinally-extending about its axis and thereby pivot the nozzle toa first position wherein it is engaged with the hollow stock to be cutand to a second position away from the hollow stock to be cut.
 5. Thesawing machine of claim 4 further comprising means for actuating theactuator and wherein the means for actuating the actuator comprises anelectronic controller and one from a group consisting of pneumatic drivemeans, hydraulic drive means, electric servo-motor drive means or linearactuator means.
 6. The sawing machine of claim 5 wherein the vacuumsuction nozzle further comprising a resilient O-ring attached to thevacuum nozzle end, the vacuum suction nozzle and O-ring further beingplaced in direct contact with the cut surface of the hollow stock tosubstantially seal the vacuum suction nozzle and O-ring with the cutsurface of the hollow stock.
 7. The chip vacuum system of claim 1wherein the vacuum suction nozzle further comprising a resilient O-ringattached to the vacuum nozzle end, the vacuum suction nozzle and O-ringfurther being placed in direct contact with the cut surface of thehollow stock to substantially seal the vacuum suction nozzle and O-ringwith the cut surface of the hollow stock.